Hi there, I decided to join this forum because I've spent months reading stuff on the net about good fish keeping and some of its contradictory and some of it I don't really understand! So here's my problems. I have a 180lt (i think) bow front tank with a Fluval 4plus filter and an aerator stone. I think I might have too many fish in it tho. I was advised the number I have, which is 6 was ok for that size as they are all fancy goldfish. I have 2 ranchu, 1 black moor and 3 ryukin, which I was also advised were fine to keep together. They all seem healthy, they are all active and feed well. But after reading a few articles on here a fish can seem well but is in fact not. I'm very strict with my weekly 10% water change, and I like to feed my fish bloodworm, broccoli, egg and peas. I really like my fish, I find them very rewarding pets and I want them to grow really big. I've had mine now in that tank for maybe 8-9 months and they don't look like they have grown any at all which is why I think the tank is unsuitable. I was also having an green algae problem but after reading articles on algae here I'm pretty sure I'm just leaving my light on far too long. Any help and advice would be most appreciated. Thank you

Hi,

Firstly - welcome.

Second - please check out http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/articles_12/keeping-goldfish.htm.

You are greatly overstocked. An internal filter will not likely be enough. What are your water params?

Im sure someone of more help will be here soon :)

Hi there

Yes you are overstocked, a 180 litre is only suitable for 2 fancy goldfish. Also, 10% weekly water change is really not enough, it should be about 25% weekly.

Best thing you can do is get yourself an API Master test Kit off ebay and post your water results as a first step.

Don't worry, we have all been there.

Fab advice from all so far.

180 litres for two fancies, given they get to 8 inches or so. External filtration a must (poop machines).

Thanks for everyones help and advice. Im currently looking at re-homing a couple of my fish with a family member, but I'm not sure what to do with the other couple as I can't afford (or fit) another 180ltr tank! I'm sad to have to let them go though. I'm planning on getting an external filter and test kit at the end of the week. I'm excited about getting the correct set up finally for my fish so that they can get nice and big. I have a real soft spot for my ranchu so I'll definitely be keeping those. Also is it normal for goldfish to change colour? Or is that a side effect of the less than perfect conditions?

Hi there

Yes it is normal for goldfish to change colour sometimes, I've had fish that have gone from orange to white, or black to orange.

In terms of rehoming, try contacting the Scottish Branch of fish orphans, I'll PM you the details as its not good to put phone numbers etc on the forum.

Hi every one, thanks again. I've managed to re-home 4 of my fish and I'm now left with my 2 ranchu in the 180ltr tank. Im waiting on an API Masters Test kit arriving in the post. I'm looking at getting an external filter as recommended but I never realised how pricey the were so I gotta save for a couple weeks for that one I'm afraid. Will my fish now start growing or are they likely to be stunted from the over crowding? Are there any certain foods that are good for getting big fish?

What, how much and how often are you feeding them at the moment? Let's start with that and see where you can go from there

I was advised by the guy I got my fish from that frozen blood worm was best for big fish so I've been feeding them that every other day plus peas, broccoli, occasionally egg and some times goldfish flake. I've read on here though (I've learnt a LOT since joining here) that you should only feed them blood worm once or twice a week!! The blood worm i buy comes in little frozen cubes and I give them one of them between them. If I'm giving them peas I'll cut 1-2 up into tiny pieces same with broccoli.

That sounds like a very good mix

I'd switch the flake to sinking pellets though (Tetra Gold Japan, just one by way of example) as flake can make fancies a bit floaty due to gulping.

You can buy blister packs of 'quintet' frozen food, blood worm/white and black mosquito larvae/ daphinia etc.

As for fruit and blanched veg, you can try all manner. Mine go loopy for cauliflower (softened in a bit of water in the microwave), I'm sure Jon's love watermelon. Just a case of trialing it to see. Mine get the pellets in the morning when I'm usually in a rush, meaty frozen food/veggies for tea when I have more time, peas once a week. Ooh, try small algae wafers too - usually a supper time treat before lights off

Seaweed in a clip is enjoyed as a treat. Either the Nori kind (used for sushi) or Julian Sprungs Sea Veggies (for marine fish) so may be available in a good LFS or on line). The aim is to just mix it up a bit to give them variety.

These gadgets are fab for veggies

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_fro ... 70.l2736&_nkw=screwcumber

Just remove any veggies after 12 hours, if they even last that long (lol), to avoid water quality issues. With the trops this was often the case, with the fancies, not a chance!